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Java

Posted by Shawn Kobb
Shawn Kobb
4,889 Points

For a beginner, is there a better starting point to learn Java?

I'm wondering if there is another course I should take first that might provide a better base for learning Java. Although I'm making it through the lessons, I can't really say that I feel like I'm learning. For a while, I just kept pushing forward hoping for some lightbulbs to turn on, but that hasn't happened yet.

I can do some of the exercises because they simply involve re-writing what was done in class with different variable names, but even then I need to hunt the forums for the answer more often than not.

I don't feel like the videos are explaining what is being done. They seem to be more along the lines of, "We need to accomplish this so therefore we just do this, this, and this", but I have no idea how I would know to do any of that.

Perhaps there is a better starting point for me?

2 Answers

Christopher Loyd
Christopher Loyd
Courses Plus Student 5,806 Points

Shawn,

Not having a specific end goal can wear on a programmer, especially when trying to learn a more traditional programming language, as you have nothing to gauge your talent as you progress.

A great way that I use to judge a particular understanding in any given programming language is doing programming challenges, and a popular one among developers is Project Euler.

http://www.projecteuler.net

This is a great resource to see just how much you know about a given programming language, and very few - even dedicated, hardcore programmers - ever complete all the challenges. I've slowly worked on this list for a few years now in C and C++, and every time I go back I learn just how much my abilities have heightened, and just how much further I still have to go.

Shawn Kobb
Shawn Kobb
4,889 Points

Great input, Christopher.

I'll be sure to check out the site. I appreciate the recommendation.

Steve Hunter
Steve Hunter
57,712 Points
Steve Hunter
Steve Hunter
57,712 Points

Hi Shawn,

Which courses have you been trying out?

Learning is a very personal thing so my experiences and yours are likely to be quite different. I tried a number of books over the years with limited success. They tend to just tell you how a keyword works rather than necessarily walking you through a solved problem using what you've learned. That's how I felt, anyway - I'm sure other people would disagree.

I can see your point with the videos. It is very easy to just let it wash over you without taking it all in and then regurgitate the answers to the challenges. I think that will be the same anywhere, if I'm honest.

Let's just check you've been on the right course for your needs - what's your end goal here? Learning Java? Getting into Android development?

I would say that you'll need to persevere. If you're anything like me, it takes a long time to get the subject matter to 'stick'. One thing I found useful was trying to answer questions in the forum. Actually having a practical use for the stuff you've just learned and having to articulate it in your own words really helps (me) to make sure I've got the subject pinned down. Again, that's just me, perhaps! Others won't need to do that; others more will have other ways that work for them.

So, there's no one answer for this but I do think the Treehouse videos are extremely good in comparison with what else is out there. Maube start off on a different subject to get a feel for other types of coding - there's significant overlap across all languages so that's not wasted time. Maybe some of the other teachers' style may work better for you.

I really enjoyed the Objective C courses as well as the Android and Swift ones. I've also dabbled with HTML, CSS and Rails with varying degrees of success. But, overall, my knowledge is much better and the skills I've learned are useful cross-language. There's still a long way to go before I'm professionally competent but the foundations are there.

I hope that somehow helps you.

Steve.

Shawn Kobb
Shawn Kobb
4,889 Points

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your advice.

At this point, I don't have specific end goals. I'd like to try coding an Android app at some point. I started that track, but once it talked about the fact it uses Java, I thought it might be good to do Java first.

I'm also working on some of the website development and WordPress classes because I have a little more strength there. They at least help with confidence a bit.

I do think the Treehouse videos are great, it just feels to me that I'm missing something in the Java courses. Maybe I'll work on other things and come back to those. Maybe I'll switch back to Android and hope all the necessary Java is just explained inside it.